Our Reconciliation Journey
The desire to embark on our journey towards reconciliation has been gaining momentum throughout all levels of our organisation including Board , Executive Team and staff for several years .
KU ’ s formal journey of reconciliation began in 2013 , when the KU Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Programs Manager was invited and strongly supported by KU to be a member of the Early Childhood Australia ( ECA ) Reconciliation Advisory Group . At the same time , KU observed an increasing number of staff engaged in discussions about raising awareness and showing an appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories .
Collaboration
More than thirty people , including eight Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples , have collaborated over three years in the development of KU ’ s Reconciliation Action Plan ( RAP ).
Members of KU ’ s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Reference Group ( Reference Group ), Executive Team , Education Committee and the KU Board , have worked closely alongside a KU RAP Working Group , made up of staff representatives from across the organisation , to support the development of this plan .
KU ’ s Reference Group in particular , has been instrumental in providing significant guidance and putting forward recommendations to the Chief Executive Officer for the consideration of directions for KU as an organisation , specifically relating to the recognition and inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children , families , communities , culture and histories . This has included examining the ways in which KU can :
Support the implementation of KU Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Programs ;
Expand and enhance culturally inclusive programs within KU services ; and
Support the Implementation of KU ’ s Reconciliation Action Plan .
Engagement and first steps
When presented with the idea and intention of developing a RAP , the KU Board were supportive and committed to the organisation taking this step forward , recognising the benefits of reconciliation in early childhood education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and for all Australians .
In June 2014 , the aim of developing a Reflect RAP was first communicated to all KU staff , with Expressions of Interest sought for the establishment of the KU ’ s RAP Working Group . The response to this plan and the EOI indicated a strong level of interest and commitment from across the organisation . To support this process , and ensure expertise and representation from all teams and Departments , the KU Executive Team , Education Support and Family Programs teams and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Programs , also made specific nominations of representatives to the KU RAP Working Group .
Membership of the KU RAP Working Group over the last two years has included a cross-section of KU staff and always included at least two Aboriginal people :
Manager , Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Programs – RAP Working Group Chairperson
General Manager , Early Childhood Education General Manager , Early Education Inclusion Manager , Education Support and Family Services Director , KU Macquarie Fields Preschool Director , KU Sunbeam Preschool Director , KU Lance Preschool & Children ’ s Centre Teacher , St George Bank Child Care Centre Manager , Marketing and Communications Practice Manager , Early Childhood Education
At its first meeting , the KU RAP Working Group ’ s key objectives were established as ;
Being the driving force for setting up KU ’ s RAP
Supporting the development and setting of meaningful and achievable targets
Actively engaging in discussions with staff , children , families and communities at local and regional levels
Guiding the development and implementation of the RAP within the areas of Relationships , Respect and Opportunities
Evaluating the actions and outcomes of the RAP , during and at the completion of the implementation period
Putting forward recommendations to the Chief Executive Officer the help guide the future directions of the organisation